Kay Meyer

Summary

Kay MeyerKay L. Meyer is the founder and president of Family Shield Ministries and host of the Family Shield radio program and podcast heard on 50 stations throughout the United States. Meyer is a popular author and speaker on prayer, family life, spiritual growth, and evangelism; and author of hundreds of Christian publications including: Witnessing--A Lifestyle (FSM 2008), Balance-Christ Filled Living (LWML, 2017), Portals of Prayer, Teacher's Interaction, My Devotions, Life in the Sandwich Generation (CPH, 1994), Teaching Your Children Christian Values (CPH, 1995), Concordia Pulpit Children's Devotions, and Mission Field on Our Doorstep: Jehovah's Witnesses (FSM, 1994). Meyer has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a Masters of Arts in Media Communications from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri.

She has been married to Tjaden Meyer for over 45 years. They have three children, and three grandchildren. Two sons are now with the Lord. The Meyer's are members of Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. To reach Meyer or schedule a workshop or program go to witnesstofamily@gmail.com.

Family Shield Ministries grew out of Meyer's work in evangelism and education at Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis from 1981-1994. It was founded as a non-profit organization in 1994. Learn more at www.familyshieldministries.com.

 

 

Honors/Memberships

  • Magna Cum Laude, Harris-Stowe State College (1987)
  • Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society in education (1987-Present)
  • Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities (1987)
  • Cambridge Who’s Who in Non-Profit Organizations (2008)
  • Ronald Winters Youth Award (1985)
  • National Religious Broadcasters (2001-2009)
  • Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) Member (1994—Present)
  • Association of Fundraising Professionals Member (AFP) (2001-Present)
  • Association of Lutheran Mission (ALMA) Society Member Board of Directors (2012-2015)

Education

  • Master of Arts, Media Communications—Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri (2000)
  • Bachelor of Science, Education—Harris-Stowe State College, St. Louis, Missouri (1987)
  • Non-Profit Leadership and Management Classes—Missouri University, St. Louis, Missouri (1996); Legal Issues in
  • Governing and Managing Non-Profits (2000); plus 12 additional hours of non-profit classes
  • Writing for the Church—Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska (1987)
  • Ambassadors of Reconciliation, Reconciler—The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (1999–2011)
  • Christian Development Executive (CDE) Certificate from the LCMS Foundation (2010)

Professional History

  • Family Shield Ministries, St. Louis, Missouri (1994-Present)
    Founder, President, and Host of Family Shield radio program heard on 53 stations in 25 states
  • Kay L. Meyer Freelance Business, St. Louis, Missouri (1981-Present)
    Project Manager, Author, Speaker, Producer, Development Consultant, Grant Writer, Evangelism Trainer and Non-Profit Consultant
  • Lutherans For Life, Nevada, Iowa (2009-2013)
    Director of Development, contracted consultant through Kay L. Meyer
  • Concordia University—Wisconsin, St. Louis Campus
    Adjunct Professor of Communications
  • Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch–Voelkerding Village Maternity Home, Dutzow, Missouri (1998-2002)
    LCMS Liaison and Spiritual Life Director
    LCMS Liaison and Public Relations Director
  • National Lutheran Parent-Teacher League (NLPTL), St. Louis, Missouri
    Executive Director

Church/Community Service/Consultant

  • Board of Directors, Lutheran Hour Ministries (2012-Present)
  • Board of Directors, ALMA-Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies (2012-2014) Serve as the first Vice-President and Director of the national annual conference.
  • The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Reconciler, Ambassador of Reconciliation (1999—2011)
  • LWML Society Chairman, Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood (2001-2005)
  • Board of Directors, National Lutheran Parent-Teacher League (1988-1991)
  • Chairman, Board of Evangelism, Ascension Lutheran Church (1984-1996)
  • Chairman, Counter-Cult Outreach Ministry, Ascension Lutheran Church (1981-1994). Since 1994 it has been part of Family Shield Ministries.
  • Host, Action Today, a cable TV program of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri (1991—1997)
  • International Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Effective Society Planner (1994-1997)
  • Success by Six Committee, United Way of Greater St. Louis (1995—1997)
  • Sunday school and Adult Bible Study Leader, Ascension Lutheran Church (1972-1998)
  • District Coordinator, Girl Scout Council of St. Louis (1982-1986)
  • Junior Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scout Council of St. Louis (1981-1986)
  • Cub Scout Leader, Boy Scout Council of St. Louis (1979--1981)
  • Co-chairman of International Lutheran Laymen's League & Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Support Group Ministry Grant, Lutheran Brotherhood Grant
  • Consultant, Concordia Publishing House, Evangelism, and Nurture Publications
  • Consultant, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Board of Evangelism
  • Consultant, Concordia Publishing House, Family Life, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday school Curriculum
  • Consultant and TV Host, LCMS Board of Missions, Ablaze! Connection
  • Director and Teacher, Windsor-Woerner Preschool (1973-1982)
  • Coordinator and Teacher, Vacation Bible School, Ascension Lutheran Church (1973—1990)
  • Program Committee Member, KFUO and The Jubilee Network
  • Lay Delegate, The Missouri District Convention, Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis and Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, Missouri

Publications (Books/Booklets)

  • Witnessing—A Lifestyle. Family Shield Ministries (2008)
  • Witnessing Basics, Family Shield (2013)
  • Family Ministry Basics, Celebrations and Milestones. Concordia Publishing House (2006)
  • Mission Field on Our Doorstep: Jehovah's Witnesses. Family Shield Ministries (2004)
  • The Adventures of Billy and Annie, Baby Bison. TLM Publisher (2003)
  • Teach Your Children Christian Values, a Bible study produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries and Concordia Publishing House (1996)
  • Life in the Sandwich Generation, a Bible study. Concordia Publishing House (1995)
  • Creating a Family Resource Congregation. Family Shield Ministries (1991)

Articles/Devotions

  • “The Great Commission” column in The St. Louis Metro Voice (1994-2013)
  • “Children’s Messages,” Concordia Pulpit Resources, Concordia Publishing House (1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
  • "What I Expect from the Pulpit," Concordia Pulpit Resources, Volume 8, Part I. Concordia Publishing House (1997)
  • "Let's go to Côte d’Ivoire!" Student and Teacher's Mission Friends, Volume 5, No. 3, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Spring (1997)
  • "Nicky's Story," Rainy Day/Sunny Day/Any Day Activities Book, Concordia Publishing House (1993)
  • "What to Say to a Jehovah Witness At Your Door," Worldwide Evangelist, Concordia Publishing House (1986)
  • Portals of Prayer, Concordia Publishing House (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996)
  • The Home Altar (numerous children devotions) Augsburg Publishing House (1988)
  • Family Devotions Little Visits, Volume Two, Building Faith for a Lifetime (numerous devotions) Concordia Publishing House (2003)
  • Vacation Bible School (a number of curricula, including skits featuring "Lucy and Judah") Concordia Publishing House (1989)
  • The Voice (many articles for “The Networks” column) Concordia Publishing House
  • Evangel-Gram (numerous articles for the Board for Evangelism Services) The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
  • Teachers Interaction (many articles) Concordia Publishing House
  • The Lutheran Laymen, and publications for International Lutheran Laymen's League (numerous articles and booklets)
  • "A Christian Witness to Jehovah's Witnesses," The Lutheran Witness, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (1988)
  • My Devotions, Concordia Publishing House (1988, 1989, 1996)
  • LifeDate & Directions, Lutherans For Life (numerous articles 2009-present)
  • Families Transformed Through the Gospel of Christ (The Lutheran Laymen, March/April 2013 issue).

Presentations

  • “Sharing Christ with Hurting People,” Regional Outreach Conference (ROC) of Lutheran Hour Ministries in May, 2011 in Branson, MO.
  • “Women with New Hearts,” Central Illinois Pastoral Wives Retreat, Springfield, Illinois
  • “Responding and Witnessing to Homosexuals,” Central and Southern Illinois Great Commission Convocation, Springfield, Illinois
  • “Six Traits for Healthy Families,” St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lees Summit, Missouri
  • “Hope and Today’s Families.” Family Shield’s seminar at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
  • "Fair Booth Outreach Ministry," International LLL National Convention, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • "Developing a Home Bible Studies Program for Your Congregation," International LLL National Convention, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • "TV–Its Impact on Children and Families," The National School-Age Care Alliance Conference, St. Louis, Missouri; (1996) Ascension Lutheran Church, numerous PTL's, schools, and church groups
  • "Building Blocks for Christian Families," Salem Lutheran School, Affton, Missouri
  • "Nurturing Children within the Home and School," Military Wives Retreat, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri
  • "Dealing with Anger in the Home," NLPTL National Convention, St. Louis, Missouri, plus other PTL and school groups
  • "Dealing with Fear in Families," NLPTL National Convention, Springfield, Illinois, and KFUO Radio
  • "Establishing and Growing Family Traditions," Southern Illinois LWML Retreat, Edwardsville, Illinois
  • "Managing Media within the Home," NLPTL Convention, St. Charles, Missouri
  • "Summertime Activities for Families with Children," KFUO Radio, St. Louis, Missouri, PTL groups
  • "Friends—A Gift of God,” Southern Illinois LWML, Edwardsville, Illinois, Concordia Seminary Wives, plus numerous schools and congregations
  • "Family Devotion Fun Night," NLPTL National Convention, Springfield, Illinois, Christ Memorial Intergenerational VBS, and KFUO Radio, St. Louis, Missouri
  • “Relying Upon God's Power to Witness,” a 12-week Bible study, Ascension Lutheran Church and South County LWML, St. Louis, Missouri
  • "Discovering Your Gifts for Service," Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri.
  • "Lifestyle Witnessing," Southwest Zone LWML, St. Louis, Missouri
  • "Improving Our Prayer Life," Southwest Zone LWML Prayer Breakfast, St. Louis, Missouri
  • "Witnessing Effectively to Jehovah's Witnesses," presented at over 50 congregations, Concordia Seminary students, organizations, schools, KFUO, Channel 24, WCBW, and cable television in Missouri and Illinois
  • "Planning an International Friendship Festival," Missouri District Convention, St. Louis, Missouri
  • "Families: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow," LWML Missouri District Convention, St. Paul Lutheran PTL, Missouri District DCE Conference, etc.
  • "Fun Family Devotions," Christ Memorial Intergenerational VBS and St. Paul Lutheran PTL
  • "Building Blocks for Christian Families," LWML Women's Retreat, Collinsville, Illinois
  • "Healthy Families Laugh Together," Christ Memorial Lutheran Parent Group
  • "Families—Learning to Use the Shield of Faith," a six-week Bible study. Presented to numerous congregations and conventions including: Our Savior Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran Church; and Salem Lutheran Church, Affton, Missouri
  • "Planning a Lifestyle Evangelism Event for Families," Missouri District Evangelism Conference
  • "Reaching Families through Christian Schools," Sunday Schools and VBS, Immanuel Lutheran School Teachers
  • "Show Me the Way," numerous LWML women's organizations
  • "Making the Most of Brief Encounters," Southwest Circuit Pastors Conference, St. Charles, Missouri
  • "Using Your Gifts for Service," LWML groups and women's organizations
  • "Are You A Mary or a Martha?" Numerous LWML Retreats and the Women of Worth Conference (1998)
  • "Rooted in God's Love," “Women of the Bible—Women of Today,” and “Women with New Hearts,” LWML and women's organizations
  • "Improving Our Prayer Life," Family Shield's annual prayer seminar, Southwest Circuit LWML Retreat
  • "What Happens When Families Pray?" Family Shield's prayer seminar, St. John's Women's Retreat, plus numerous congregations
  • "Using Prayer in Witnessing," Family Shield's prayer seminar
  • "Mary's Cross—Our Cross," a women's Bible study
  • “Prayer Breakfast” for Lutherans For Life National Conference (2012)
  • "Prepare and Protect Children and Families in a High Tech World" (2014)

Media Productions

  • Producer/Host/Presenter/Writer:
    • Producer and host: Family Shield radio program (1996 to present)
    • Producer: Friends Together in Christ, children's devotional audiocassette, NLPTL (1992)
    • Producer: Children’s Puppet Stories, an audiocassette, LLL (1989)
    • Co-producer: The G.I.F.T. Video for the International LLL, Flickers, Inc.
    • Program Designer/Presenter. Responding and Witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses, a ten-day live call-in program broadcast with host, Rev. Mark Spitz on AM 850 KFUO (1988)
    • Presenter: A Christian Perspective on Witnessing Effectively to Jehovah's Witnesses for Channel 24, WCBW, and Action Today
    • Executive Producer: TV commercial for DBR—Voelkerding Village Maternity Home (2000)
    • Writer: By the Way radio program. (Numerous scripts.) The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
    • Host: Ablaze! Connection Blended Learning Program, “Grandparents as Mentors” featuring Dr. Richard Hardel, President, Youth and Family Institute. LCMS World Missions
    • Host: Action Today monthly cable TV broadcast, a production of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri
  • Radio Programs
    Over 900 weekly radio programs produced, hosted and recorded for subsequent distribution covering a wide-range of topics such as: prayer, faith, family life, evangelism, witnessing, counter-cult ministry, and congregational outreach. A complete listing available at www.familyshieldministries.com. Family Shield is currently heard on 50 stations in 25 states.

    • Prayer/Faith/Church/Spiritual Growth
      • "What's the Gospel" with Dr. Dale Meyer
      • "Hints for Sunday School Teachers" with Joan Dubberke and Ellen Hetz
      • "The Suffering of Christ" with Dr. Otto Hintze
      • "A Resurrection Quiz for Families"
      • "Angels: God's Mysterious Messengers" with Rev. Ron Rall
      • "Servant Leadership" with Rev. Stephen Hower, St. John's Lutheran Church
      • "What's the Gospel?" with Dr. Dale Meyer and Roger Hebermehl of Lutheran Hour Ministries
      • "Genesis and the Dinosaurs" with Dr. Erich Von Fange
      • "Who Is This Jesus? Part 1, The Humanity of Christ,” with Rev. Charles Spomer
      • "Who Is This Jesus? Part 2, The Deity of Christ,” with Rev. Charles Spomer
      • "Improving Your Prayer Life"
      • "Discovering God's Will," with Cordell Schulten and Rev. Charles Spomer
      • "What or Who Makes Someone a Christian?" with Professor John Oberdeck of Concordia Seminary
      • "What Happens After Death?" with Rev. David Schultz
      • "Electronic Millstone: Christian Media in a Media Age" with Dr. Phillip Patterson
      • "What's Happening Among the Churches?" Dr. Ronald Feuerhahn, Concordia Seminary
      • "Rescue at Sea" with Don Wharton
      • "Assimilation" with Dr. August Mennicke and Rev. Ellis Rottman
    • Family
      • "Television—How It's Affecting Our Children" with Dr. John Frahm
      • "Families: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow"
      • "Managing Media in the Home"
      • "Fun Family Devotions"
      • "My Daughter Irena" with Carol Henning
      • "My Daughter—Her Daughter" with Rev. Edwin and Joan Dubberke
      • "Time Management" with Rev. John Schmidt
      • "Raising Creative Children" with Jane Wilke and Pam Nummella
      • "Prayer's Impact On Our Family, Faith, and Life" with Larry Conners, Anchorman for Channel 4 News
      • "Easter Activities for Families" with Debbie Davis, a Lutheran school teacher from "Healthy Families Laugh Together," with Dr. Richard Bimler, President of Wheat Ridge Ministries and author of Angels Can Fly Because They Take Themselves Lightly
      • "Helping Children Learn to Enjoy God's Wonderful World," with Karen Arnold
      • "Family and Finances" with Sharon Cleveland
      • "An Encouragement for Fathers" with Phil Hohle, Doug Pfitzinger, and John McCastle
      • "Responding to Conflict Biblically" with Cordell Schulten, Part I and II
      • "Communicating With Teenagers" with Heidi Borg and Dave Muck
      • "The New Age and Today's Families," Rev. James Winsor
      • "Women in Crisis and Crisis Pregnancy Center" with John McCastle"At Life's End" with Dr. Donald Deffner
      • "Stress and Today's Family" with Dr. Bobby Reed
      • "Teens—Struggle and Grow" with Richard Arnold and Sandy Griffard of Lutheran High School South
      • "Grandparenting—God's Way" with Rev. Roger Sonnenberg and Mrs. William Brauer
      • "The Angels Announce Jesus Birth"
      • "Christmas Traditions and Activities for Families"
      • "Time Management" with Kenneth Erickson
      • "Helping Children Learn to Manage Money" with Rick Osborne
      • "Gambling and Today's Families" with Dr. John Warren Kindt and Pat Andrews
      • "501 Ways to Love Your Wife and Kids" with Rev. Roger Sonnenberg
      • "Lessons in Dadhood" with Rev. Tim Weseman
      • "Joys and Challenges in Marriage" with Charlie and Levi Burmeister
      • "Enjoying Nature with Your Children and Family" with Ellen Hetz
      • "Joys and Challenges of Being a Mother" with Catherine Duerr, a Concordia Publishing House author
      • "Front Porch Parenting" with Dr. Mary Manz Simon
      • "Violence Prevention" with Bill Kuntz of New Beginning Counseling
    • Evangelism/Witnessing/Counter-Cult Ministry
      • "Witnessing—A Lifestyle" with Dr. A. L. Barry
      • "A Christian Response to New Age and Satanism" with Rev. Bruce Frederickson
      • "Cults and Our Families" with James Walker of Watchman Fellowship
      • "Witnessing to Mormons" with Rev. Bob Barnes
      • "Witnessing to Family Members and Friends"
      • "Cults and Today's Families" three-part series on Jehovah's Witnesses. Part two with Joan Cetnar, former Jehovah's Witness and co-author of Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses.
      • "Satanism and Today's Families" with Rev. Bruce Frederickson author of How to Respond to Satanism and Cults and Other Beliefs
      • "Questions Unchurched Ask" with Rev. David Schultz
      • "Cults and Today's Families"
      • "Sharing Christ with Prisoners and Their Families” with Rev. Paul Beins and Sarah Barnes of Lutheran Ministries Association
      • "Witness—God's Way"
      • "Witnessing to Muslims" with Rev. Ernest Hahn
      • “Jewish Evangelism” with Steve Cohen of Apple of His Eye Mission Society
      • "Helping Homosexuals Know Christ," with Joe Dallas
  • Cable TV Broadcasts Host (Partial list)
    • Hosted Action Today, a production of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO for five years. Sample listing:
    • "The Gospel We Proclaim" with Dr. Dale Meyer, Lutheran Hour Ministries
    • "Managing Media in the Home" with Dr. John Frahm
    • "The Resurrection—How It Effects Your Faith and Life" with Rev. David Schultz
    • "Nurturing Our Children Within the Home" with Dr. Mary Manz Simon
    • "Traveling with Children" with Dr. Mary Manz Simon
    • "Equipping Families for Tomorrow" with Ben Freundenberg
    • "Witnessing Effectively to Jehovah's Witnesses"
    • "Lutheran Children & Family Services" with LeRoy Zimmerman and Rev. Gerald Mansholt of Living Christ Lutheran Church
    • "Growing Through Prayer" with Rev. James Kirk
    • "Fostering a Healthy Self-Esteem in Children" with Jane Wilke
    • "Using Puppets To Teach" with Jane Haas
    • "What About Infant Baptism?" with Rev. John Oberdeck
    • "Cults and Our Families" with Dr. Jerald Joersz
    • "Dealing with the Death of a Child" with Nancy Nickolotsky
    • "The Culting of Christianity" with Kurt Goedelman
    • "Divorce Recovery" with Jackie Johnson and Brian Seltzer of Second Chapter
    • "Apple of Your Eye—Jewish Evangelism" with Steve Cohen
    • "Lifestyle Witnessing" with Rev. Lyle Muller
    • "Prayer in the Life of a Christian" with Carol Henning
    • "The Great Commission and the Great Commission Convocation" with Dr. LeRoy Biesenthal

Development/Fund Raising (Partial list)

  • Thrivent Charitable Gifting Grant for $100,000. Grant writer and Project Director.
  • Missouri LWML, CID LWML, NID LWML, TX LWML, Nebraska South LWML grants to expand the Family Shield radio program, the counter-cult ministry and produce new resources and curriculum.
  • Researched, wrote and implemented 40 grants for many non-profit organizations including Lutherans For Life, Concordia Seminary, Voelkerding Village--Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and Family Shield Ministries.
  • Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) (2009-Present)
  • Wheat Ridge Ministries, Hope for Families, Chicago, Illinois
  • Me and My House grant from Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis and Wheat Ridge Ministries
  • Support Group Ministry Grant for the International Lutheran League. Co-chaired the planning committee to produce resources for district leaders and coordinated arrangements for the national training for representatives from the 35 LCMS Districts (1989)
  • Grant for Concordia Seminary for the development of a new radio program (1990)
  • Consultant on non-profit management and development for other non-profit organizations
  • Major Gift Solicitation, Annual Gift Consultant, and Major Gift Trainer
  • Supervised estate design lawyer, and several major gift development executives for two non-profit organizations.

Special Event Planning/Project Management (Partial list)

  • Project Director, Concert for Life, Lutherans For Life (2010)
  • Trivia Night (FSM) in Partnership with Our Lady’s Inn (2007-Present)
  • Director, Family Shield Benefit Dinner (1998—Present)
  • Director, Me and My House National Conference (2002)
  • Chairman, International Friendship Festival, a friendship evangelism event for Ascension Lutheran Church (1989)
  • Chairman, New Age Awareness Seminar, Ascension Lutheran Church (1990)
  • Chairman, Monthly Prayer Breakfasts, Ascension Lutheran Church (1986-89)
  • Chairman, Prayer Vigil, Ascension Lutheran Church (1989)
  • Project Manager, Lutheran Family Initiative, The LCMS (1991)
  • Chairman, A Lutheran Perspective on Satanism and New Age (1993), Concordia Seminary
  • Committee Member, NLPTL Conference (1989-1991)
  • Chairman, NLPTL Parenting in the 90's National Conference (1992)
  • Chairman, Family Shield's Family Faith & Fun Celebration (1994)
  • Chairman, Barnes and Noble Bookfair Outreach Event (1997)
  • Chairman, Family Shield's Annual Prayer Seminar (1994-1997)
  • Chairman, Family Shield’s Equipping Christian Families Seminar (1998)
  • Chairman, Family Shield’s Media and Today’s Families Seminar (1999)
  • Project Director, Family Intergenerational Vacation Bible School, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri (1996)
  • Director of the National Conference for the Lutheran Association of Mission Agencies (2012-2014)